Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computer-implemented method of optimizing application throughput, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by one or more processors, an initial network design of a computer network that includes (i) an original network path to a backup server computer that includes a first set of links which are active links and (ii) a second set of links to the backup server computer that are inactive and redundant to the first set of links, the initial network design being based on a spanning tree protocol provided by processing in layer 2 that blocks the second set of links or an Internet Protocol (IP) route selection protocol provided by processing in layer 3 that shadows the second set of links, and the layer 2 and the layer 3 being layers in an Open Systems Interconnection model; collecting, by the one or more processors, data about traffic flow in the computer network from one or more switches and one or more routers in the computer network; identifying, by the one or more processors, the backup server computer as a hot spot destination in the computer network by performing analytics on the collected data about the traffic flow, the analytics indicating that the traffic flow matches a historical traffic pattern that indicates that (i) data is backed up from applications to the backup server computer and (ii) the applications from which the data is backed up are executed in a first pod of hosts; in response to the backup server computer being identified as the hot spot destination, creating, by the one or more processors, an application-optimized software-defined networking (SDN) path that specifies a first path to the backup server computer and a second path to the backup server computer, the first and second paths utilizing the first set of links and the second set of links for new flows to backup data to the backup server computer in a subsequent network design of the computer network; detecting, by the one or more processors, that (i) a first new flow is backing up first data from a first application to the backup server computer and (ii) the first application is being executed by a first host in the first pod; detecting, by the one or more processors, that (i) a second new flow is backing up second data from a second application to the backup server computer and (ii) the second application is being executed by a second host in the first pod; in response to the detecting that the first and second new flows are backing up the first and second data, respectively, to the backup server computer which is the hot spot destination and that the first and second applications are being executed in the first pod, replacing, by the one or more processors, the initial network design with the subsequent network design and activating, by the one or more processors, the second set of links in the subsequent network design; forwarding, by the one or more processors, the first and second new flows to the application-optimized SDN path so that the first new flow is forwarded to the backup server computer via the first set of links and the second new flow is forwarded to the backup server computer via the second set of links that are active but were inactive prior to the initial network design being replaced with the subsequent network design; and in response to the replacing the initial network design with the subsequent network design and the forwarding the first and second new flows, bypassing the processing in layer 2 that blocks the second set of links, bypassing the processing in layer 3 that shadows the second set of links, and providing a throughput of the backing up of the first and second data by the first and second applications using the first and second set of links according to the subsequent network design, so that the throughput is improved over another throughput of a backup of the first and second data by the first and second applications using the first set of links but not the second set of links according to the initial network design.
This invention relates to optimizing application throughput in computer networks, particularly for backup operations. Traditional network designs rely on spanning tree protocols (Layer 2) or IP route selection (Layer 3) to manage redundancy, often leaving redundant links inactive. This can create bottlenecks when backup servers become hot spots, as traffic is forced through a single path. The method dynamically identifies backup servers as hot spots by analyzing traffic flow data from switches and routers. If analytics confirm a backup pattern (e.g., multiple applications in a host pod sending data to a backup server), the system creates an application-optimized SDN path. This path activates redundant links, allowing concurrent data flows to the backup server via multiple paths. For example, if two applications in the same pod back up data, the system routes one flow through the original active links and the other through previously inactive redundant links. This bypasses Layer 2 blocking and Layer 3 shadowing, improving throughput by utilizing all available links. The result is faster backup operations compared to traditional single-path designs. The solution is particularly useful in data centers where backup traffic can create congestion.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of configuring, by the one or more processors, the application-optimized SDN path on SDN switches.
A system and method for optimizing network paths in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment addresses the challenge of inefficient data routing in traditional networks, which often leads to latency, congestion, and suboptimal resource utilization. The invention provides a solution by dynamically configuring application-specific paths across SDN switches to enhance performance, reduce latency, and improve resource allocation. The method involves analyzing network traffic patterns and application requirements to determine optimal routing paths. Based on this analysis, the system generates an application-optimized SDN path that prioritizes factors such as bandwidth, latency, and reliability. The system then configures the SDN switches to implement this optimized path, ensuring that data flows are routed efficiently according to the specific needs of the applications. By dynamically adjusting the network paths in response to real-time conditions, the invention improves overall network efficiency, reduces bottlenecks, and enhances the performance of applications running on the network. This approach is particularly beneficial in environments where multiple applications with varying requirements share the same network infrastructure, such as data centers, cloud computing platforms, and enterprise networks. The system ensures that each application receives the necessary network resources without compromising the performance of other applications.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: providing at least one support service for at least one of creating, integrating, hosting, maintaining, and deploying computer readable program code in the computer, the program code being executed by a processor of the computer to implement the steps of generating the initial network design, collecting the data about the traffic flow, identifying the backup server computer as the hot spot destination, creating the application-optimized SDN path, detecting that (i) the first new flow is backing up the first data and (ii) the first application is being executed by a first host in the first pod, detecting that (i) the second new flow is backup the second data and (ii) the second application is being executed by a second host in the first pod, replacing the initial network design with the subsequent network design, activating the second set of links, and forwarding the first and second new flows to the application-optimized SDN path, bypassing the processing in layer 2, bypassing the processing in layer 3, and providing the throughput so that the throughput is improved over another throughput.
This invention relates to optimizing network traffic flow in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment, particularly for backup operations in data centers. The problem addressed is inefficient traffic routing during backup processes, which can lead to congestion, latency, and degraded performance. The method involves generating an initial network design for a data center, where the design includes multiple pods, each containing host computers and servers. Traffic flow data is collected to identify a backup server as a hot spot destination, meaning it receives a high volume of backup traffic. An application-optimized SDN path is then created to route backup traffic more efficiently. The method detects new backup flows, such as a first flow backing up data from a first application running on a first host in a pod and a second flow backing up data from a second application running on a second host in the same pod. The initial network design is replaced with a subsequent design that activates a second set of links, allowing the first and second backup flows to be forwarded along the optimized SDN path. This bypasses traditional layer 2 and layer 3 processing, improving throughput compared to conventional routing methods. The system also provides support services for creating, integrating, hosting, maintaining, and deploying the program code that implements these steps. The overall goal is to enhance network efficiency and performance during backup operations.
4. A computer program product for optimizing application throughput, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code stored on the computer readable storage medium, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the computer readable program code being executed by a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer system to cause the computer system to perform a method comprising the steps of: the computer system generating an initial network design of a computer network that includes (i) an original network path to a backup server computer that includes a first set of links which are active links and (ii) a second set of links to the backup server computer that are inactive and redundant to the first set of links, the initial network design being based on a spanning tree protocol provided by processing in layer 2 that blocks the second set of links or an Internet Protocol (IP) route selection protocol provided by processing in layer 3 that shadows the second set of links, and the layer 2 and the layer 3 being layers in an Open Systems Interconnection model; the computer system collecting data about traffic flow in the computer network from one or more switches and one or more routers in the computer network; the computer system identifying the backup server computer as a hot spot destination in the computer network by performing analytics on the collected data about the traffic flow, the analytics indicating that the traffic flow matches a historical traffic pattern that indicates that (i) data is backed up from applications to the backup server computer and (ii) the applications from which the data is backed up are executed in a first pod of hosts; in response to the backup server computer being identified as the hot spot destination, the computer system creating an application-optimized software-defined networking (SDN) path that specifies a first path to the backup server computer and a second path to the backup server computer, the first and second paths utilizing the first set of links and the second set of links for new flows to backup data to the backup server computer in a subsequent network design of the computer network; the computer system detecting that (i) a first new flow is backing up first data from a first application to the backup server computer and (ii) the first application is being executed by a first host in the first pod; the computer system detecting that (i) a second new flow is backing up second data from a second application to the backup server computer and (ii) the second application is being executed by a second host in the first pod; in response to the detecting that the first and second new flows are backing up the first and second data, respectively, to the backup server computer which is the hot spot destination and that the first and second applications are being executed in the first pod, the computer system replacing the initial network design with the subsequent network design and the computer system activating the second set of links in the subsequent network design; the computer system forwarding the first and second new flows to the application-optimized SDN path so that the first new flow is forwarded to the backup server computer via the first set of links and the second new flow is forwarded to the backup server computer via the second set of links that are active but were inactive prior to the initial network design being replaced with the subsequent network design; and in response to the replacing the initial network design with the subsequent network design and the forwarding the first and second new flows, the computer system bypassing the processing in layer 2 that blocks the second set of links, the computer system bypassing the processing in layer 3 that shadows the second set of links, and the computer system providing a throughput of the backing up of the first and second data by the first and second applications using the first and second set of links according to the subsequent network design, so that the throughput is improved over another throughput of a backup of the first and second data by the first and second applications using the first set of links but not the second set of links according to the initial network design.
This invention relates to optimizing application throughput in computer networks, particularly for backup operations. Traditional network designs use spanning tree protocols (Layer 2) or IP route selection (Layer 3) to manage redundancy, often blocking or shadowing redundant links. This can limit throughput when multiple applications in the same pod send backup data to a shared backup server, creating a traffic hotspot. The system generates an initial network design with active and redundant links to the backup server, then monitors traffic flow across switches and routers. By analyzing traffic patterns, it identifies the backup server as a hotspot destination, recognizing that multiple applications in the same pod are backing up data. In response, the system creates an application-optimized software-defined networking (SDN) path that activates redundant links, allowing concurrent data flows to the backup server. When new backup flows are detected, the system replaces the initial design with a subsequent one, activating redundant links and bypassing Layer 2/3 blocking mechanisms. This enables parallel data transmission over multiple paths, improving throughput compared to single-path backups. The solution dynamically optimizes network resources for backup operations, enhancing efficiency in data center environments.
5. A computer system comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a memory coupled to the CPU; and a computer readable storage medium coupled to the CPU, the computer readable storage medium containing instructions that are executed by the CPU via the memory to implement a method of optimizing application throughput, the method comprising the steps of: the computer system generating an initial network design of a computer network that includes (i) an original network path to a backup server computer that includes a first set of links which are active links and (ii) a second set of links to the backup server computer that are inactive and redundant to the first set of links, the initial network design being based on a spanning tree protocol provided by processing in layer 2 that blocks the second set of links or an Internet Protocol (IP) route selection protocol provided by processing in layer 3 that shadows the second set of links, and the layer 2 and the layer 3 being layers in an Open Systems Interconnection model; the computer system collecting data about traffic flow in the computer network from one or more switches and one or more routers in the computer network; the computer system identifying the backup server computer as a hot spot destination in the computer network by performing analytics on the collected data about the traffic flow, the analytics indicating that the traffic flow matches a historical traffic pattern that indicates that (i) data is backed up from applications to the backup server computer and (ii) the applications from which the data is backed up are executed in a first pod of hosts; in response to the backup server computer being identified as the hot spot destination, the computer system creating an application-optimized software-defined networking (SDN) path that specifies a first path to the backup server computer and a second path to the backup server computer, the first and second paths utilizing the first set of links and the second set of links for new flows to backup data to the backup server computer in a subsequent network design of the computer network; the computer system detecting that (i) a first new flow is backing up first data from a first application to the backup server computer and (ii) the first application is being executed by a first host in the first pod; the computer system detecting that (i) a second new flow is backing up second data from a second application to the backup server computer and (ii) the second application is being executed by a second host in the first pod; in response to the detecting that the first and second new flows are backing up the first and second data, respectively, to the backup server computer which is the hot spot destination and that the first and second applications are being executed in the first pod, the computer system replacing the initial network design with the subsequent network design and the computer system activating the second set of links in the subsequent network design; the computer system forwarding the first and second new flows to the application-optimized SDN path so that the first new flow is forwarded to the backup server computer via the first set of links and the second new flow is forwarded to the backup server computer via the second set of links that are active but were inactive prior to the initial network design being replaced with the subsequent network design; and in response to the replacing the initial network design with the subsequent network design and the forwarding the first and second new flows, the computer system bypassing the processing in layer 2 that blocks the second set of links, the computer system bypassing the processing in layer 3 that shadows the second set of links, and the computer system providing a throughput of the backing up of the first and second data by the first and second applications using the first and second set of links according to the subsequent network design, so that the throughput is improved over another throughput of a backup of the first and second data by the first and second applications using the first set of links but not the second set of links according to the initial network design.
A computer system optimizes application throughput in a network by dynamically activating redundant links to a backup server. The system generates an initial network design where a backup server is reachable via active links while redundant links remain inactive, governed by either a spanning tree protocol (Layer 2) or an IP route selection protocol (Layer 3). The system monitors traffic flow across switches and routers, identifying the backup server as a hotspot destination based on analytics that detect backup traffic patterns from applications running in a specific host pod. In response, the system creates an application-optimized software-defined networking (SDN) path that utilizes both the original and redundant links for new backup flows. When new backup flows are detected from applications in the same pod, the system replaces the initial network design with a subsequent design that activates the redundant links. The system then forwards backup traffic over both active and previously inactive links, bypassing Layer 2 blocking or Layer 3 shadowing of the redundant links. This approach improves throughput by leveraging additional network capacity, enhancing backup performance compared to relying solely on the original active links.
Unknown
October 6, 2020
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.